Ling 403/603
Introduction to Phonology
DAY 18
CESAR KOIRALA
The syllable
 Native speakers can usually count the syllables in a word without any
difficulty.
How many syllables does the word phonology have?
pho.no.lo.gy
 Furthermore, we have clear intuitions about where to put the syllable
boundary.
Identify the syllable boundaries in incidental.
in.ci.den.tal
(we have an implicit knowledge that the segments „nt‟ cannot occur together at
the left edge of the 3rd syllable and so we break them up such that each segment
attaches to a different syllable.)
What constitutes this implicit knowledge?
 Internal structure of the syllable.
 Phonotactic rules or constraints.
Internal structure of a syllable
 Most syllables start with a consonant or a consonant sequence known
as onset . For e.g., kæt
 The rest of the syllable is called as syllable rhyme (kæt). Rhyme
contains obligatory nucleus (usually a vowel) and an optional coda.
The internal structure of word „sprint‟ is shown below.
Internal structure of a syllable
The internal structure of word „sprint‟ is shown below.
Sprint is a monosyllabic (consisting of a single syllable) word with a complex
onset and a complex coda.  CCCVCC
Internal structure of a syllable
The internal structure of word „rabbit‟ is shown below.
Rabbit is a bisyllabic (consisting of a 2e syllable) word that has an open and a
closed syllable  CV.CVC
Internal structure of a syllable
Internal structure of a syllable
Exercise: Draw the internal structure of words „happy‟ and „rhythm‟.
• Draw the internal structure of ‘rhythm’ such that [m] is syllabic.
Internal structure of a syllable
 These basic principles of syllable structure are universal among all
languages, but they are language specific in terms of particular settings
they allow.
 Many languages allow only CV and CVC syllables. However, English
has very complex syllable structure. For e.g., sprints.
Typological facts (Belvins (1996))
Phonotactics and syllabification
 Languages have significant rules on what kinds of sounds may or may
not combine. We see this shaped strongly by the syllable, with different
restrictions holding for the beginning of syllables, the end of syllables,
and combinations across syllable boundaries.
e.g. English allows “tr” at the beginning of words, but never “rt”.
Q. Why is “tr” okay at the beginning of a syllable but not “rt”? Is this a
random rule in English?
 In a syllable, the sonority increases from the margins to the nucleus.
(sonority sequencing principle)
The sonority hierarchy
 The phonetic idea of sonority: the more open the airpassages, the more
sonorous.
Sonority Sequencing Principle
 In a syllable, sonority increases from the margin to the nucleus.
Sonority
Sonority Sequencing Principle
 Sonority Sequencing is a universal principle of language but its
application is language specific.
e.g1., Initial clusters like
impossible sequences in English.
occur in Russian though they are
e.g2. Restriction against similar sounds in English Onsets.
Phonotactics
of English
Sonority Sequencing Principle

Despite cross linguistic differences, we see some effect of sonority
sequencing principle in every language. Some languages agree to SSP
100%. English is an exception – [s] in complex onsets and codas DOES
NOT obey SSP.
Random Exercise

Write a phonological rule that describes the following process.
Random Exercise

Write a phonological rule that describes the following process.
Importance of syllable in Phonology


Syllable is relevant to the description of some phonological rules.
Syllable forms basis for describing stress patterns in languages.
Allowing rules to refer to syllable

Try writing the rule referring to syllable now.
Allowing rules to refer to syllable

Try writing the rule referring to syllable now.
Importance of syllable in Phonology


Syllable is relevant to the description of some phonological rules.
Syllable forms basis for describing stress patterns in languages.